Long-term outcomes of Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy for people diagnosed with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated long-term outcomes of Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy. Previous studies have shown the approach to be effective in enhancing recovery and metacognition in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

DESIGN

A 2-year longitudinal follow-up case study design.

METHODS

Eight people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia received an average of 52 sessions over 13-26 months. Follow-up interviews were conducted and self-report measures administered at approximately 2 years (22-30 months) post-completion of therapy.

RESULTS

The majority of participants demonstrated reliable improvement from pre-treatment to 2-year follow-up on one or more of the outcome measures with some variation in patterns of improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides the first evidence that therapeutic gains in recovery and metacognition during Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy for people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia can be maintained at 2-year follow-up. Larger, controlled trials are warranted to ascertain the most important factors contributing to the facilitation and maintenance of gains over time.

PRACTITIONER POINTS

Research demonstrates the value of longer-term psychotherapy for patients with more severe and longer-term difficulties resulting from psychotic spectrum disorders. Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy has been demonstrated to facilitate improvement in a proportion of patients who present with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Components of Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy can be incorporated into a range of therapeutic approaches for the benefit of patients.